What reason do any of you have to believe in an afterlife?

Question

It seems that people just want to believe. I mean, really, would we still have religion today if it didn't promise in afterlife? Logically there's no reason to think we go to some magical place when we die.

Ok, so a lot of you believe in one because you want to and it makes you happier. I would think that if you try and believe something because you want to, then deep down you really don't.

Others believe in one 'because the Bible says so'. I can't argue with that logic. or rather, lack of.

"i want to make sure my eternity is in heaven."

That quote embodies the fact that a lot of religious folk just wanna score some credit for the next life they hope exists. As I said, religion would not be popular if there was no promise of an afterlife. You've been given this life but you're too greedy for that be enough, there has to be a promise of more to follow.

"Because God says so in the bible.

What reason do you have not to believe?"

Since there seems to be no evidence of an afterlife, it is you who has to have a reason to believe, not me to have one to not believe. If you want to base your beliefs on a 2000 year-old book that proclaims events such as people living to 950 years old and a worldwide flood that's up to you.

"Also, if you're going to use logic, first prove where it came from. Christianity has that answer, atheism doesn't."

I can't use logic for anything to do with Christianity, since Atheism is based in science and Christians believe in a great deal of physical impossiblities occuring. Nothing can be proved, but Atheism seems a lot more sensible to me. Christianity has 'that answer' because Christianity can answer anything, without reason it has no restrictions.

"What benefit derives from not believing? Pessimism? Lack of direction? A-social behaviour?"

Not taking life for granted for one. Anyway, believing just for the sake of believing is wrong.

"At least I have an old book, what do you have? Nothing, so don't tell me I have a lack of proof when you have none."

Well, the fact that when things die they decompose and all the atoms they were made of split up and join other parts of the earth. That constitutes a hell of a lot more evidence than the Bible.

Answer 1

I agree with you.

When my neurons cease to function, there is no way that I can continue to think or to experience consciousness.

Death is like a sleep that never ends, without awareness of any kind. Or more likely, death is simply like the period before birth, without existence.

Which makes for all the more reason to live it up now.

Answer 2

There may not be a "logical" reason to think we go to an altered realm upon death; however, I contend that it doesn't hurt to think that we do! I'd rather live my life believing that there's an afterlife than living it without one. For me, the belief in an afterlife brings me peace and contentment. If there isn't one? Well, I wouldn't know because I'd be dead, wouldn't I? And, if there is one? Well then I can rest assured knowing that the way I lived my life "paid off".

It's been proven that setting a goal for yourself and then creating steps to make that goal possible is a very effective way of accomplishing something. If I want to run a marathon, I make it a goal to run 'x' number of miles per week, increasing my mileage and speed in increments to make this happen. If I just ran whenever I felt like it, paying no attention to time and distance, it's doubtful I'd perform as well when put to the test.

I believe the same is true with an afterlife. I use that belief, that goal as a way to plan out my life. I don't "suffer" from that belief--I only benefit from it. My choices are more sound, I live my life according to a plan--otherwise I feel that (at least for me) nothing would get accomplished.

Lastly--say someone was to get diagnosed with life-threatening cancer. I think that a person and their loved ones around them can cope with the event better knowing that they're going to a better place...than knowing that their life was lived for not.

I think it's in human nature to want "closure". Believing that a departed one is up in Heaven can help bring closure sooner than moving on thinking that the person is gone and end of story.

Answer 3

no person says we 'ought to'. perhaps human beings can locate their own reason they 'ought to', in the event that they desire. It facilitates some human beings. existence would not persist after dying. they are opposing states. Do you advise what happens in dying? Is there an lifestyles in it? Who is familiar with? we will not communicate with something that exists in dying, if something even does. so which you you will no longer understand till you're lifeless. or you will no longer understand something the type you recognize it now (or in any respect), because of the fact what you're will become soil and grass and bugs and trees and animals and consistent with danger someones finger and so on and so on. And who's familiar with if what you're is the two something actual and religious, and if there is an element that may not decay and proceed to affix organic and organic existence, the place that section will flow - actually there could only be a non secular afterlife if there have been spirits to residing house. i think of you ought to % if there's a spirit/soul, first. And whether it lives only whilst the physique does.

Answer 4

i agree with the people that said god said we'd go to heaven if we believe. heaven is a gift from god and if people dont think it exists, then those people aren't gonna get it. It's like you getting your friend a present that he's always wanted but could never afford and when you tell him about the presents, he says "yea right", you wouldn't feeling like giving it to him if he didn't even trust you rite? Anyways if there is no afterlife then what do you think's gonna happen when you die? You think that's just gonna be it? God didn't put us here so we can wait our time to die and that's it. O and by the way, i'm christain and heaven isn't a magical place, it's real and also, magic is a sin.

Answer 5

Our faith is not based on logic. It is based on testimony and scripture. The fact that the human soul exists outside the body and survives death is not a logical or a scientifically proveable thing. And if you try to use human reason without other witnesses and faith you are going to come out short of a lot of things that exist beyond your five senses. As a matter of fact you live by faith every day and accept other people's word for it that people and places exist that you have not personally observed or experienced. It is just part of life. And it is true whether you see it and believe it or not.

Answer 6

I you choose to believe in the afterlife, there is little down side. You maintain your optimism and focus in this life. In nautical terms, you have a keel that tends to keep you on course and upright, despite winds and currents. If you believe that good deeds are required in this life to do well in the afterlife, then you are inclined to do good deeds, which benefits society.

What benefit derives from not believing? Pessimism? Lack of direction? A-social behaviour?

Answer 7

I do not believe in heaven or hell, but I do believe in an alternative realm that our souls go to, not just because I want to believe, but because I did die for a few minutes and experienced something, mostly being energy in it's purest form. hard to explain, but it was the most incredibly peaceful experience of my life.

if you really want to know and aren't just attempting to make a point, I can help you find out, but I promise I will bring you back - - - so how far are you willing to go to disprove life after death?

Answer 8

religion doesnt have to make sense. people choose to believe it because it feels good to think that somebody is looking out for you. the thought of afterlife makes death a much easier thing to except.and we would definiatly still have religion even w/o an afterlife. i know this because god promises more than just afterlife. we look to god for advice, for strength, and much more. (not to mention it gives u a reason to wake up sunday morning. lol) i dont go to church personally but i do believe in god. if people choose to believe then thats their choice. Some people dont need to have a "logical reason" to believe something. even if you do.

Answer 9

The reason I believe in the afterlife is not because I have been there but because other things in my experience has provided proof to me that the Bible is accurate, faith is faith, I know i am quoting a children's movie but it really hit home when I heard this statement "have you ever seen a billion dollars? does not mean its not real..." many people believe in evolution but i have a really hard time believing we are all evolved swamp slime who are here for 75 years only to return to worm crap. gives you a warm fuzzy feeling and a real incentive to treat others with value....

Answer 10

why do you assume that nobody else has experienced anything you have not?

many... many... many, people, personally experience interaction with the afterlife in some way.

personally my beliefs in the afterlife and such are not just blind hope, but that I've had experiences that support it.

I have more confidence in the existance of the "afterlife" than I do in gravity.

I recognize that some people have never experienced anything to lead them to that conclusion, and that is just fine.
what I don't understand is how people can so absurdly think that since THEY have not experienced certain things, that nobody else has either.
its really just silly.